The bandits exchanged uncertain glances, their earlier bravado flickering like a candle struggling against the wind. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, shadows deepening as if waiting for the storm to break.
"Heh look at him still bluffin-"
Jin's muscles coiled like a spring. His mind ran through the countless fights he'd survived and won. The first bandit's sloppy stance was an open invitation — a careless flaw to exploit. Without hesitation, Jin launched forward, every step measured, every movement precise. This wasn't just another fight — it was a statement. A warning to anyone who thought they could stand against him.
His dagger whispered through the air, a flash of steel slicing across the bandit's thigh, followed by a harsh thunk as his elbow struck the man's throat. Jin then executed a sudden front kick
The bandit's eyes widened in shock, his breath caught in his throat like a struck animal. Pain exploded across his ribs as the kick drove the air from his lungs, forcing him to stagger backward. He clutched his side, wheezing, while the taste of blood coated his tongue. Around him, other bandits faltered, uncertainty flickering across their faces for the first time
"'Who's next?' Jin's voice was sharp, cold—like a blade itself.
Another lunged. Jin spun past him, slicing his wrist and landing a dagger pommel on the temple. He fell like a sack of stones.
An archer drew his bow.
"Too slow" Jin said calmly.
THWIP! Jin's dagger went flying, hitting the archer's hands sending the arrow wild.
He then charged at the other bandit and landed a flying knee breaking the robber's nose.
The bandit stumbled back but quickly regained footing.
Jin swept his legs and then stomped him out.
"Shit. This one's no traveller" One said.
Koichi's fingers closed tightly around a jagged rock. His arm shot forward, hurling the stone with all the desperation of a cornered animal. The rock slammed against the bandit's temple with a dull thud, but it barely slowed the man down.
It did nothing except piss the man off.
The bandit whirled toward Koichi, eyes blazing with fury, and charged like a wild beast. But Jin was ready—his elbow snapped forward with deadly precision, connecting squarely with the bandit's temple. The man staggered, disoriented, before Jin's fists rained down in a controlled barrage. Each blow landed with crushing force, driving the air from the bandit's lungs until he coughed up a spray of blood. Blood dripped from the corner of the bandit's mouth as he coughed harshly, eyes wild with shock. The stench of sweat and fear hung heavy around them."
The bandit collapsed to the ground.
Jin's eyes flickered to the final bandits' movements, calculating each attack before it even came. No room for error. Koichi's hand trembled slightly, but the boy stood firm.
The last bandit stood taller than the others, shoulders broad as a mountain's base. His arms were thick with corded muscle, and a jagged scar ran across his cheek like a trophy of survival.
A bandit who just joined the fray started grinning "That's Genta," he muttered "Fought three guards barehanded and walked away with a smile."
Genta charged at Jin in a flash, who put his daggers away believing he doesn't need them.
"My name is Genta, burn that in to your mind. I'm the strongest man you'll ever meet"
Genta put all of his might into a single punch that landed squarely on Jin's cheek.He didn't move, he stood there unphased eyes glaring into him almost like he could see his soul.
"That's not how you throw a punch" He said.
He put his fist up and drove it forward, it collided with Genta's face with a
BOOM!
"This is how you throw a punch" Jin said his voice laced with confidence in his own strength."
Genta found himself getting pushed back by that monstrous punch. His consciousness slowly slipping away.
"No way. Me Genta getting overpowered" He pondered to himself.
His body hit the ground. Blood erupted everywhere.
"Night-Night " He said in an ominous tone
The newcomer dropped his weapon in shock "Is....That how punches are supposed to sound"
He stared at Genta who was unmoving.
"The same Genta that beat three armed guards with his barehands."
Jin wiped a thin smear of blood from his knuckles, eyes scanning the fallen bodies. His lips twitched in a half-smile — not from pleasure, but from something colder, more detached. "Was he supposed to be strong or something?" he muttered, shaking his head. Around him, the bandits exchanged uneasy glances, their bravado shattered but their resolve wavering in the shadows of his power
Jin looked at Genta's body "It did feel nice punching someone at full power though"
He then looked at the bandit "It's really been a while. Do you want to feel what Gentleman felt"
The last bandit's shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of him like water through a sieve. He raised a trembling hand in surrender, voice barely above a whisper. "I surrender. And it's Genta, not Gentleman." His glare held a mix of defiance and disbelief, as if trying to make sense of how one man could topple legends so easily. Around him, scattered weapons lay forgotten on the bloodied ground, the forest falling eerily silent once more.
Jin gave the bandit a thumbs up for surrendering "same thing"
Jin then spoke coldly "From now on all you bandits will aid me in my quest. I need strength in numbers."
Genta woke up dazed.
"Did I hear that correctly?" He asked "You want us to serve you"
Jin nodded "I could have kille-"
"Of course" Genta said while taking a knee to honour Jin "You have shown me your strength is far greater than mine"
"Did I knock some screws loose" Jin pondered to himself.
"I look forward to our future quests "Genta spoke with a strange respect, as if recognizing a kindred spirit in Jin — a bond forged not by time, but by strength.